These genuine ancient Roman silver coins from the first three centuries A.D. offer a view of the roots of modern western civilization evident in the Roman Empire. The obverse side of each coin shows the portrait of the emperor at the time the coin was minted. The reverse shows images depicting history, mythology and military themes. Numerous pagan gods and goddesses dominated Roman life and were reflected in the popularity of these themes. Coins were made by hand by inserting a hot metal blank between two dies and striking the upper die with a heavy hammer. The coins are not perfectly round. The earlier coins in this collection are known as denarii. The denarius, first minted circa 211 B.C. was the principal currency for over 400 years. The coin design changed little over the centuries until it was eventually replaced with the double denarius (antoninianus) after it was first introduced circa 211 A.D. The older denarii disappeared from circulation as inflation and a shortage of silver gradually caused a steady decline in the silver content of the antoninianus over the next four decades. By late in the reign of Gallienus in the middle of the third century, all that was left of the antoninianus was a diminished bronze coin with a thin silver wash. (A set of these later coins is also available on this website). There were a few later efforts to revive the "ant", however, Roman silver coins never recovered prominence, reflecting the Roman Empire's declining power and wealth. The Roman Emperors depicted on these coins are: VESPASIAN (69 - 79 A.D.), TRAJAN (98 - 117A.D.), HADRIAN (117 - 138 A.D.), ANTONINUS PIUS (138 - 161 A.D.), FAUSTINA SR. (138 - 161 A.D.), FAUSTINA JR. (161 - 180 A.D.), SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS (193 - 211 A.D.), JULIA DOMNA (193 - 211 A.D.), CARACALLA (211 - 217 A.D.), SEVERUS ALEXANDER (222 - 235 A.D.), GORDIAN III (238 - 244 A.D.), PHILIP I (244 - 249 A.D.), TRAJAN DECIUS (249 - 251 A.D.) and GALLIENUS (253 - 268 A.D.). Coins that make up this set were accumulated over a period of 20 years, purchased individually and in small groups from scores of dealers and collectors over that period. As a result, only a small number of these collections were able to be made, and no two are exactly alike. The coins have all been inspected for quality and authenticity, expertly conserved and attributed to their respective time periods and emperors, then encapsulated in custom made archival materials and presented in a specially designed, hand-made, hardwood and brass display case with a Certificate of Authenticity. This stunning set would make a truly extraordinary gift for any student of world history or collector of world coins.